Archive for November, 2011

I am not surprised to learn that financial frauds are being prosecuted at a rate which puts them at a 20-year low.

When the “truth is confined to secretive, fearful whispers” as I highlighted in my commentary the other day, then those who profit from the accompanying lack of transparency and integrity will swing for the fences. In fact, that is exactly what the financial services industry did for a protracted period. They are fighting tooth and nail to maintain that status quo.

The lax regulatory environment and ineffective legal maneuverings are a reflection of efforts — or lack thereof — that originated and grew during both Democratic and Republican regimes. (more…)

While market analysts and economists are paid to provide opinions, you know what they say about opinions.

Our global economy and markets have been supported by such unprecedented levels of government intervention with accompanying massive unintended consequences that trying to navigate our economic landscape can only be equated to “traveling in uncharted waters.”(more…)

Many participants in our financial markets and political circles clearly have little interest in allowing a full exposition of facts and figures on a wide array of topics. Why let those trifling principles get in the way of maximizing profits and currying favor for political gain, right?

“That’s not how we roll” here at Sense on Cents. Truth, transparency, and integrity are ALWAYS the order of the day.

Our prized virtues may not be embraced in our nation and the world at large, but that does not mean we should or will ever forsake them. (more…)

Where was President Obama to lead our nation in compelling the Congressional commission charged with addressing our fiscal deficit to perform?

Nowhere to be found, that’s where. Why?

Is there any doubt that the White House is fully engaged in campaign mode 2012? I have no doubt. If, in fact, President Obama is focused more on getting re-elected than fulfilling his obligation to lead our nation, then I gather it is more than fair to highlight the following:

Those with Ivy League pedigrees should view Newt’s challenge as easy pickings, with or without the assistance of the teleprompter.

Maybe, just maybe, if we can do without the interference of the media we may get at the truth while we’re at it. That would provide a healthy dose of ‘sense on cents’ in the process.

Larry Doyle

Isn’t it time to subscribe to all my work via e-mail, RSS feed, on Twitter or Facebook?Do your friends, family, and colleagues a favor and get them to do the same. Thanks!

I have no affiliation or business interest with any entity referenced in this commentary. The opinions expressed are my own. I am a proponent of real transparency within our markets, our economy, and our political realm so that meaningful investor confidence and investor protection can be achieved.

As people travel short and long distances to be with family and friends for this Thanksgiving holiday, I hope everybody arrives safe and sound and will enjoy the blessings and happiness that come from being with the ones you love.

Although our economy, our nation, and the world at large continue to deal with a host of issues, I can only hope that these times will help us elevate the importance of our families and our values to their rightful place.

Additionally, let us thank those who cannot be home with their families and loved ones as they protect our nation through their positions in our armed services. As a tribute to them and as a sign of the deep sense of gratitude that I have for their service, I am happy to convey my thanks by linking to this fabulous tribute provided by the West Virginia Mountaineer marching band.

You will want to watch this fabulous performance.

I thank you all for your service and commitment. May God bless you all and bless the United States of America!!

Larry Doyle

Isn’t it time to subscribe to all my work via e-mail, an RSS feed, on Twitter or Facebook?Do your friends, family, and colleagues a favor and get them to do the same. Thanks!!

I have no affiliation or business interest with any entity referenced in this commentary. The opinions expressed are my own. I am a proponent of real transparency within our markets, our economy, and our political realm so that meaningful investor confidence and investor protection can be achieved.

This commentary runs a little long, but I exhort you to read it in its entirety as it captures the sentiments of readers who are extremely close to or actually “in the MF arena.” Their messages are filled with real pain and anguish which is not found in the media. This is reality. I hope you will want to share this post with your friends. LD

As if $600 million in missing customer funds were not enough, recent news emanating from the debacle that defines the bankruptcy of MF Global puts the estimated misappropriation of customer funds at a cool $1.2 billion. Yes, billion with a B!

Those involved in the markets would easily ascertain that those manning the MF Global ship redirected these customer funds in an attempt to save the ship as it was going down. The customers themselves remain in a state of shock and bewilderment as to how this reality might ever have come to pass.

Meanwhile, the outrage in America burns while the lack of trust and confidence in the markets, the market makers, and those charged with protecting investors grows stronger by the day.

You don’t believe me? Read on and chew on these messages I recently received from people “in the arena”: (more…)

I called my Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT) this afternoon and informed his spokesman of my initiative here at Sense on Cents. I let him know that Jim’s name will be published at Sense on Cents as supporting this legislation or not.

I got his spokesman’s attention and let him know how great the blogosphere was at spreading this type of information. He fully understood. (more…)

What will be the end game for the European Union? Clearly the EU will not and cannot maintain the status quo.

With contagion clearly spreading throughout the EU and by extension the global economy, the stakes within the EU are raised almost on a daily basis. Where will this end up?

Who knows but what we do know is that the “road to perdition” or some form of “extended purgatory” will ultimately run not through Brussels, nor London, nor Paris, nor Athens, nor Rome but through the German capital of Berlin.

The world of Wall Street may go on but for many tens of thousands of investors their financial world has remained locked in place since February 2008 when the $330 billion auction-rate market froze like the tundra.

The pain of that reality remains fresh for so many who remain unable to access THEIR cash and receive real justice for THEIR emotional pain and anguish.

Wall Street certainly wishes that this ARS issue could or would just go away. (more…)

To prohibit commodities and securities trading based on nonpublic information relating to Congress, to require additional reporting by members and employees of Congress of securities transactions, and for other purposes.

How might we get the louts in Washington who have shelved this initiative whenever it has come up to move forward on it? (more…)